Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Musical Instruments in Louisville
At Mel Owen Music, we have dedicated over four decades to fostering musical growth in Louisville and beyond. Established in 1983, our family-owned business combines deep industry expertise with personalized service to meet the needs of students, educators, and professional musicians. Our team of seasoned professionals brings extensive experience in instrument craftsmanship, performance, and repair to every customer interaction. We specialize in providing quality band and orchestra instruments, accessories, and educational resources that empower musical journeys at all levels. Committed to community engagement, we actively support local schools and music programs while maintaining partnerships with leading manufacturers like Yamaha and Eastman.Our repair specialists offer meticulous maintenance for brass, woodwind, string, and percussion instruments, ensuring optimal performance. With a wide selection of rentals and sales inventory, we cater to beginners and advanced musicians alike. Our knowledgeable staff, including second-generation music educators, provides expert guidance on instrument selection and technique. As a trusted Louisville institution, we prioritize transparency, ethical business practices, and customer satisfaction in every transaction. From our comprehensive inventory to our dedicated repair services, we remain committed to making high-quality musical resources accessible to all.
Services
Instrument Rentals
Musical Instrument Sales
Instrument Repair Services
Music Education Resources
Instrument Accessories
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- Family-owned business with over 40 years of local musical expertise
- Offers Yamaha-certified instruments and specialized repair services
- Provides personalized instrument matching for student and professional needs
- Features staff with formal music education backgrounds and performance experience
- Maintains partnerships with local schools for educational program support
What people say
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
Excellent service
Top-notch supplies
Helpful and kind
Go-to instrument shop
Services
Instrument Rentals
We offer comprehensive instrument rental programs for band and orchestra instruments. Our inventory includes violins, flutes, trumpets, and percussion equipment with flexible rental terms for students and professionals. Each rental includes maintenance support and replacement options to ensure uninterrupted musical development.
Musical Instrument Sales
We provide a wide selection of new and pre-owned musical instruments from trusted brands like Yamaha and Eastman. Our inventory covers string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments suitable for all skill levels. Expert staff assist with instrument selection to match individual playing needs and budget requirements.
Instrument Repair Services
Our repair department specializes in restoring band and orchestra instruments to optimal condition. Certified technicians handle brass, woodwind, string, and percussion instrument repairs using professional-grade equipment. We offer routine maintenance and complex restoration services for both rental and personal instruments.
Music Education Resources
We support music education through method books, instructional materials, and school program partnerships. Our resources cater to both individual learners and institutional programs across Kentuckiana. Staff provide guidance on curriculum materials and instrument care for developing musicians.
Instrument Accessories
We offer comprehensive accessory solutions including cases, strings, reeds, and maintenance tools. Our inventory features Protec cases and Yamaha components for instrument protection and performance. Experts help select appropriate accessories to complement each instrument purchase.
People
Karren Owen
Owner
Second-generation music industry professional with 40+ years experience. President of the Kentucky Association of School Music Dealers, specializing in string instruments and educational outreach. Continues family tradition of affordable quality instruments.
Mark Festa
Store Manager
Percussion expert with drum corps background from Ohio State University. Specializes in string and percussion repair. Provides technical consultation for advanced instrument selection and maintenance solutions.
Scott Owen
Music Educator
Accomplished trombonist with master's in music education. Overseas educational programs and community outreach. Brings 18 years teaching experience across international and regional settings to customer interactions.
Questions
Does Mel Owen Music offer instrument rental programs?
Yes, we provide rental programs for band and orchestra instruments with flexible terms.
What brands of instruments do you carry?
We offer Yamaha-certified instruments, Eastman strings, and various other trusted brands.
Do you provide instrument repair services?
Yes, our repair department handles all band and orchestra instrument maintenance and restoration.
Are music education materials available?
We carry standard method books and educational resources for band and orchestra students.
How long has Mel Owen Music served Louisville?
We've been serving the Kentuckiana music community since our 1983 establishment.
Reviews (6)
Aaron K.
Jan 23, 2022
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Great store, the folks there were eager to help, answer questions and offer advice and tips for new renters like me. Thank you!
Carol Burden
Mar 20, 2021
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Excellent customer service! Took my son's clarinet in for repair. Melanie was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Turned out to be a very minor repair. She fixed it immediately at no charge. Highly recommend!
Rebecca E.
Apr 13, 2020
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The people at this music store always do a fantastic job. They are professional on the phone and in person and always do an amazing job on instrument repair. And considering the times, they do a really nice job with keeping everyone safe by offering curbside service only, keeping their distance, and giving a wet wipe to clean your hands and your merchandise to make sure you do not get sick. They also use hospital grade disinfectants on anything that they give you and may need back. I highly recommend this music store to any musician in need of instrument service or repair. In my opinion they are the best in town.
Gina Robertson
Feb 16, 2020
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I had a wonderful experience purchasing my daughter's saxophone from Mel Owen Music and they had all of the accessories her teacher required. Quality instruments, reasonable prices and payment plans and friendly customer service. Thank you!
Tonda Anderson
Dec 17, 2019
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Love this place! Always so kind and helpful. They have repaired several of my daughter's instruments, as well as provided advice and top-notch supplies. We wouldn't take her beloved saxophone anywhere else.
Scarlet Panda
Jun 03, 2019
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Absolutely THE BEST place to go get musical instruments for orchestra and band. Extremely knowledgeable, able to fix broken instruments. They have an outstanding rental program as well, and will help you decide if renting is better than buying. They have student quality instruments as well as higher end, even some consignments. We don't use their private lesson instructors, so can't rate them, but I did talk to one and thought she was very personable. This is the only place I would recommend to buy instruments.
